2024 marks the arrival of the all-new fifth-generation Santa Fe. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe features bold new exterior styling. Notably, it has become larger on the inside and now comes with three rows of seating. Meanwhile, the 2024 Sorento receives a mid-cycle refresh. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2024 Kia Sorento are two good choices in the three-row SUV segment.
Let’s have a Santa Fe vs. Sorento matchup to discover the better three-row SUV. We’ll look at each vehicle’s interior, safety, and performance specifications.
And if you want to check out the all-new Santa Fe, swing by Wilson County Hyundai in Lebanon, TN. We can arrange a test drive for you.
The new look of the 2024 Santa Fe isn’t just for appearance’s sake. Hyundai’s midsize SUV has gotten longer and can comfortably accommodate three rows of seating. Notably, adults can fit in the 2024 Santa Fe’s third row. You can’t say the same about the 2024 Sorento’s third row, which is better suited for children. We must also mention the Captain Chair option for the 2024 Santa Fe’s second row. Here, the bench seat is replaced by two individual power-adjustable seats with armrests for a business-class experience. You’ll also find more trunk space in the 2024 Santa Fe than in the 2024 Sorento. Both SUVs allow you to fold down their second and third rows for extra space when needed.
The 2024 Santa Fe has a redesigned dashboard with two 12.3-inch displays under a single sheet of glass. The display directly ahead of the driver is a digital instrument cluster. The second display is touch-enabled and used to control the car’s Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatible infotainment system. The 2024 Sorento doesn’t have the twin display configuration on all trims. Furthermore, the 2024 Santa Fe offers up to two wireless phone charging pads, while the 2024 Sorento only has one on certain trims.
Both SUVs come with tri-zone climate control and air vents for all three rows. They also have power-adjustable and heated front seats, plus USB and USB-C charging ports. Buyers can specify rear entertainment systems, premium sound systems, and a heads-up display, too.
Hyundai offers the 2024 Santa Fe with two engine choices: a regular or hybrid powertrain. The regular powertrain gets a powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that’s also seen in other Hyundai and Kia products. Here, it makes 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Drive goes to the front wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Some trims offer paddle shifters on the steering wheel for manual gear selection. Buyers can also pick Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system for better traction in slippery or snowy conditions.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid has a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. This variant is exclusively offered in all-wheel-drive form. Hyundai claims the system outputs 226 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
For 2024, Kia continues to offer the Sorento with four powertrains. You’ll get a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with 191 horsepower as the base trim. Then, there’s the same turbocharged powertrain as on the 2024 Santa Fe. The hybrid powertrain is available, too, as is a plug-in variant with 261 horsepower. Some variants are front-wheel drives, while others can be specified with all-wheel drives.
Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite of active and passive systems is standard on every 2024 Santa Fe. Highlights include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. You can also find a lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking as standard. Meanwhile, the 2024 Sorento only offers some of these features as standard. Others are optional.
Both SUVs include a comprehensive suite of airbags and child safety locks for the rear doors. They also come with stability control, as well as daytime running lamps. A tire pressure monitoring system is standard, too.
The 2024 Santa Fe delivers a smooth ride, a thoughtful cabin, and a bold new design. It also offers a nice range of simplified powertrains and better safety features. These features make the 2024 Santa Fe the better option if you’re looking for your next family SUV. If you’d like to see a 2024 Santa Fe on your driveway, contact the team at Wilson County Hyundai in Lebanon, TN, and we’ll get you started.
